ProPlex DMX512 8-Track Super DMX Record/Playback Device User Guide
- June 6, 2024
- ProPlex
Table of Contents
8-Track Super
Quick Start Guide
General:
The ProPlex 8-Track Super is a single universe DMX playback device. The 8-Track Super can record 8 dynamic scenes. Playback of each scene will loop continuously. It is possible to record up to 5 hours (300 minutes) to the 8-Track Super. Recording to the device is simple, but with firmware version 4.2, it is possible to copy existing files directly to the SD card.
Current Firmware Version:
v4.2
Firmware updates and update instructions can be found at ftp.tmb.com.
File System:
The 8-Track SD file system is FAT32. The memory card inside the unit can be accessed by removing the two Phillips #1 screws on the back of the 8-Track and sliding the back panel off. Once memories are recorded, MEM00-MEM07 corresponds to 1-8 on the 8-Track. Three file types can be found on the SD card “.STA” for static memories, “.DYN” for Dynamic memories and the “CONFIG.NAS” which holds information about currently active memories (memories active after last use of unit). All MEM** files can be deleted or renamed to “move” them to another memory.
- CONFIG.NAS is not essential and holds information about currently active memories (memories active after last use of unit). This is an ASCI file and can be edited in a TEXT manager. The document has 8 symbols that correspond to each memory (0 or 1). 0 means that memory is off, 1 means that memory is on (active).
- MEM.STA** are Static memory files and are ASCI and can be edited in a TEXT manager. File structure of static memory files hold each channel value in decimal encoding (meaning it has to be 000 thru 255).
- MEM.DYN** are Dynamic memory files which are binary files, so they can’t be edited internally but they can be “moved” to different memories.
- If editing is done to the files, please be careful to maintain file inner structure as it was originally because it is very sensitive to file content and might refuse to read that file after editing. If the file refuses to read after editing it needs to be deleted.
Recording to the 8-Track:
All of the memories (1-8) can record scenes of dynamic values. The 8-track records in real time. It is possible to record up to 300 minutes of playback to the 8-track. The sequences are played back in a loop. The loop transition will not be visible if the start and end frames are the same. When a scene is recorded to the 8-Track, the LED indicator will flash at 20% intensity. If no LED indicators are flashing, then nothing is recorded to the 8-Track.
To record dynamic scenes to the 8-Track, follow these steps:
- Use a lighting console to set the desired scene of DMX values.
- Press and hold the button that corresponds to which scene you would like to record for longer than 5 seconds (the memory button).
- When all of LED status indicators blink, release the memory button.
- LED status indicator will be turned on at 100% intensity, and the desired button is ready to start recording.
- Press the desired memory button again to start recording. At this time, adjust the DMX values as desired, or play back your cues as desired.
- During recording, all of the button LED status indicators blink, which indicates the remaining memory available. Each LED represents about 40 minutes (1/8) of the available recording time.) When an LED turns off, it indicates the amount of the total recording time that has been used.
- To end recording, press memory button of the scene you are recording to.
- The memory is now recorded and the LED status indicator of the button is turned on at 20% intensity.
To record static scenes to the 8-Track, follow these steps:
- Hold button to enter record mode
- Press and hold button again to capture static scene.
Recorded dynamic scenes are marked with intermittently blinking LED while static scenes have constant-on LEDs.
To erase all scenes on the 8-Track, follow these steps:
- Press and hold memory buttons number 1 and number 8 for longer than 10 seconds.
- When all of the LED status indicators blink, release the memory buttons number 1 and number 8.
- All Memories are now erased. All LED status indicators are off.
To erase a single scene from the 8-Track, follow these steps:
To erase a single scene, it is best to use an SD card reader and a Windows
computer.
- Remove the SD card from the 8-Track.
- Plug the SD card into a Windows computer using an SD card reader.
- Access the SD card, and delete the single desired MEM** file from the SD card.
It is a good idea to back up all of your memory files before deleting them, as they cannot be recovered once they are deleted.
Playback:
The ProPlex 8-Track Super is easy to use. To turn on any of the pre-programmed memories, press the memory button of the desired scene. The LED indicator next to an active memory will be on at 100%. The LED indicator next to an inactive memory will be on at 20%. If no LED indicators are on, nothing is recorded to the 8-Track. It is possible to activate multiple memories at the same time. To turn off a memory, press the desired memory button again, and a memory will be turned off. (The LED status indicator will switch to flashing at 20% intensity).
ProPlex 8-Track Super Quick Start Guide
Effective 11 June 2021
© Copyright 2021, TMB
All rights reserved
TMB authorizes its customers to download and print this electronically published manual for professional use only. TMB prohibits reproduction, modification or distribution of this document for any other purposes, without express written consent. Specifications are subject to change without notice. The information in this document supersedes all previously supplied information before the effective date listed above. TMB has confidence in the accuracy of the document information herein but assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss occurring as a direct or indirect result of errors or exclusions whether by accident or any other cause.
ProPlex 8-Track Super Quick Start Guide v3.2 11 June 2021